THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE

Fish Viewing Platform Plans Are Proceeding

The wheels continue in motion for a fish viewing platform over the river behind the BPM, Inc. paper mill in Peshtigo. Officials from Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), BPM, Inc., Wisconsin DNR, Marinette County and the City of Peshtigo met Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Peshtigo City Hall to further explore the possibilities. Prospects of the platform becoming a reality within the next two or three years are very promising, Mayor Al Krizenesky said.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, he and city Parks and Recreation Director Dave Zahn will meet with Mayor Michael J. Walsh in DePere. That city recently completed construction of a fish viewing platform, and Krizenesky said they hope to learn from their experience.

Most of the land involved belongs to WPS, with easements to BPM, Inc. The platform, if built, will start from a BPM, Inc. structure at the rivers edge and continue onto cement pillars in the river that once supported pipes running to the old Badger Pulp Mill on the east side. The pulp mill has since been torn down, and the pipes have been removed, but the cement pillars remain.

BPM, Inc. General Manager Jim Koronkiewicz said easements between the mill and WPS are so old that they have none of the details needed today, so the easiest answer would be to write new ones. He said the mill will cooperate with the venture and quit claim their structures to the city, but will not be involved in engineering the platform or the path needed to reach it.

WPS owns and maintains most of the property involved. WPS people at the meeting indicated they have no problem with the proposed fishing platform, Zahn said. Most of the discussion at Tuesdays meeting centered on the easements. They cannot sell it or deed it to the city because it lies below the dam and is needed for dam maintenance, but they can grant easements for use by both the mill and the city.

Zahn said the fish viewing structure, if built, will be handicapped accessible, in compliance with ADA rules. The city may seek grants to help cover the costs. Chuck Druckrey from the Marinette County Land and Water Conservation Division will help with planning and explore grant possibilities.